Michael Tubbs, a 22 year-old Stanford graduate, is the youngest ever city councilman to be elected in his hometown of Stockton, C.A.

Born into poverty to a teenage mother and father who is in prison, Tubbs grew up determined to make a difference.

Upon graduating from high school, Tubbs attended Stanford, where he earned a bachelor’s in Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity and a master’s in Policy, Organization and Leadership Studies.

While in college, Tubbs interned for both Google and the White House.  With multiple high-paying job offers, Tubbs decided to turn them down and return to his hometown to run for city council.

The struggling city of Stockton, C.A. is in need of serious change.  In June of 2012, Stockton became the most populous U.S. city to file for Chapter 9 bankruptcy.  The city also has a record high number of homicides in 2012 with 71.

Tubbs first made headlines last spring when he received a campaign endorsement form Oprah Winfrey after meeting her on campus at Stanford.  Winfrey donated $10,000 to the then-college senior.

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